Žďák Bridge - the largest single-arch steel bridge in Czechia
The Žďák Bridge, which spans the banks of the Vltava River, was completed in 1967. At the time it was the largest single-arch steel bridge in the world.
The Žďák Bridge spans the banks of the Vltava near Staré Sedlo on the left bank and Kostelec nad Vltavou on the right. It got its name from the settlement flooded during the filling of the Orlická dam reservoir and its construction began in in 1957. It was completed in 1967.
At the time of its completion it was the largest steel single-arch bridge in the world and was considered a technical wonder. Since then it has moved to twenty-seventh place, but still holds the top spot in the Czech Republic. In 2001 it was awarded the Bridge of the Century prize in the category of steel road bridges.
The bridge offers a magnificent view of the Orlická dam reservoir and an interesting view of the bridge structure from the road below. In the 1990s it became a popular spot for bungee jumping.
Žďák Bridge
Bridge length: 542.91 m
Span between piers: 379.6 m
Bridge height above the water: 50 m
Bridge weight: 4 116 tons
